There are very few instances that come to mind where it is socially acceptable to publicly ask the question “Why does it hurt when I pee?” While “Loveline” with Adam Carrola and Dr. Drew Pinsky is still alive in radio syndication, it’s not nearly the same widely recognized forum for topics to make you squirm in your seat as it was in its MTV heyday. The great Frank Zappa, however, also posed this very question in the narrative of his classic Joe’s Garage and Thursday night at the Blind Tiger, the titular voice of that very album made a special appearance alongside one of the finest Zappa tribute acts today.
Celebrated guitarist Ike Willis took over lead vocals and guitar for the Detroit-based act Ugly Radio Rebellion (www.myspace.com/ uglyradiorebellion) in what has been a hotly contested endeavor as of late. The Frank Zappa tribute-band industry, that is, thanks in large part to Frank’s widow Gail. It took a little bit of legal wrangling on part of the Blind Tiger to ensure that the band could safely perform, but more of those sordid details later.
Surely, I thought, the presence of Willis on the bill for the band’s 100 th performance would bring Zappa fans crawling out of the woodwork in swarms, but the thin crowd in attendance has led me to produce a couple of theories in explanation: First, it’s entirely possible that the seasonal timing had a lot to do with the somewhat sparse audience.
Everyone’s busy this time of year, obviously. The other theory is that there just aren’t a whole lot of Zappa fans floating around these days. The man made some strange, silly music that just doesn’t lend itself to broad acceptance.
That’s not to say what he made isn’t wonderful in its own weird way, however, because in my opinion it is. Zappa has always been a bit of a musician’s musician and judging by the crowd at the URR show, that much is very true. Several local players floated into the venue at various points in the show, taking their place among the hardcore fans randomly yelling out the initial question posed in this article.
“I ask myself that same question every morning,” Willis replied before inevitably indulging the repeated request. Of course, he prefaced the song with a line normally delivered by Zappa himself.
“Shortly after
his liaison with the taco-stand lady, Joe makes a horrible discovery…,”
Willis stated in a nod to the narrative voice prevalent on Joe’s Garage.
Though
their delivery wasn’t quite as succinct as that of Zappa (few are),
Willis and the band’s playing was still fantastic. They get a pass
considering one member (guitarist Scott Schroen) lives in Georgia and hadn’t practiced with the others in weeks, however.
Though
there still are no mediocre tribute acts in his countenance; it’s
simply impossible to perform such complicated works without a high
degree of proficiency. Willis’ little finger was firmly wrapped around
the whammy bar and drummer Layla Hall was particularly wicked in her
craft, especially considering her minute stature. At around five feet
tall and barely 100 lbs. (most in her waist-length dreadlocks), Hall
mashed the skins with the violent precision of a tiny toronado. Zappa’s
compositions are known for their sweeping rhythmic rolls and fills and
she nailed them all while providing operatic backing vocals on songs
like “Teenage Prostitute.” She even threw in the occasional stick twirl
and point to the crowd for good measure.
“And then, later that
same evening,” Willis interjected between just about every other song,
URR broke out just about every classic that the crowd shouted for.
“Carolina Hardcore Ecstasy,” “Catholic Girls,” “My Guitar Wants to Kill
Your Mama”, “Cosmik Debris” and “Zomby Woof” all found their way into
the band’s two sets. But it all came very close to not happening, as
seems to be the case with most Zappa tribute bands (save for the
“official” act of son Dweezil, Zappa Plays Zappa).
Though most
venues, the Blind Tiger included, pay fees to the American Society of
Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), Zappa’s widow Gail
persistently threatens legal action to both the performers of the
estate’s copyrighted work and the venues who book them. Her contention
is that the license granted by the fees paid to ASCAP only applies to
nondramatic work, whereas storytelling albums such as Joe’s Garage are
dramatic in nature. In any event, the legal obstruction flies directly
in the face of Frank Zappa’s wish for others to “play my music.” The
Blind Tiger may have proved that the threats are a little more hollow
than they are being represented, however.
Management stated
that they simply notified ASCAP that they were booking the band. Still,
URR are bracing for more of the same down the road. “We could be fined
$750 for every song we play for copyright infringement,” said Schroen.
“I’m looking forward to the day when this gets me led off in handcuffs.”
To comment on this story, e-mail Ryan Snyder at ryan@yesweekly.com
Frankly Zappa: Ike Willis throws down. (photo by Ryan Snyder)
